Deering Goodtime Blackgrass 5-String Banjo
$ 1,389.00
The Deering Goodtime Blackgrass is the darkest banjo in the Deering lineup. All-black matte finish, black head, matte black hardware. 3-ply violin grade maple rim with resonator. Midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan inlays. Planetary tuners, spikes at 7, 9, and 10. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $1,389 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
In stock
Deering Goodtime Blackgrass 5-String Banjo — All-Black Resonator, Made in USA
The Deering Goodtime Blackgrass is a 5-string resonator banjo with an all-black matte finish, 3-ply violin grade maple rim, and planetary tuners — handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. At $1,389 and 6 lbs, it’s the darkest-looking banjo in Deering’s entry-level lineup, putting a dark twist on an otherwise traditional instrument. Available now at Banjo Warehouse, an authorized Deering dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Every Deering we sell receives a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara before shipping. Your banjo arrives ready to play. Spikes come installed at frets 7, 9, and 10 so you can play in the keys of A, B, and C right out of the box.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Watch: Blackgrass Demo
Why the Blackgrass?
The Goodtime Blackgrass is for players who want something on the darker side. The pure black stain on all-maple construction is accented with matte black powder-coated hardware and a black head — every surface finished in black for a distinctive look that stands out on stage or in the living room.
Underneath that finish is the same serious construction Deering is known for. The 11″ 3-ply violin grade maple rim delivers a clear, bright tone with excellent note separation. The midnight maple fingerboard features vintage artisan-style pearloid inlays that pop against the dark background.
The Pot
The 3-ply violin grade maple rim with black stain sits inside a two-piece Goodtime series flange. Black high crown head. Beveled steel tension hoop with 16 flat J-hooks. 5/8″ Goodtime Smile bridge and Deering’s patented Goodtime tailpiece. All hardware finished in durable matte black powder coat.
In short: the Blackgrass delivers all-black looks with real Deering construction at $1,389 — resonator projection, spikes installed, and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara.
The Neck
Rock maple neck with a slender “D” shape and black stain under a satin finish. Midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan-style pearloid inlays. 22 pressed-in nickel silver frets. Lexan polycarbonate nut at 1 1/4″ width. Goodtime planetary tuners and a Goodtime geared 5th string tuner. Spikes installed at frets 7, 9, and 10.
The Resonator
3-ply poplar/poplar/maple construction with black stain and satin finish. Straight sidewalls. 13 7/8″ diameter. The resonator projects your sound forward with authority — whether you’re a bluegrass picker, a punk rocker, or somewhere in between.
What’s Included
Spikes installed at frets 7, 9, and 10. 8-year limited warranty. Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Free shipping anywhere in the United States. 7-day money-back guarantee.
Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website. Need more options? Reverb offers Affirm, eBay offers Klarna.
In stock and ready to ship. $1,389.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Specifications
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Rock Maple (Black Stain) |
| Shape | Slender “D” Shape |
| Finish | Satin |
| Fingerboard | Midnight Maple |
| Inlays | Vintage Artisan Style Pearloid |
| Nut | Lexan Polycarbonate, 1 1/4″ |
| Tuners | Goodtime Planetary |
| 5th String Tuner | Goodtime Geared |
| Frets | 22 Pressed-In Nickel Silver |
| Spikes | Installed at 7, 9, 10 |
| Pot | |
|---|---|
| Rim | 3-Ply Violin Grade Maple (Black Stain), 11″ |
| Head | 11″ Black High Crown |
| Tension Hoop | Beveled Steel |
| Hooks | 16 Flat J-Hooks, 9/32″ Hex Nuts |
| Flange | Two-Piece Goodtime Series |
| Hardware Finish | Durable Matte Black Powder Coat |
| Bridge | 5/8″ Goodtime Smile Bridge |
| Tailpiece | Deering Patented Goodtime Tailpiece |
| Body Finish | Hand Finished Satin Polyurethane |
| Resonator | |
|---|---|
| Wood | 3-Ply Poplar/Poplar/Maple |
| Finish | Satin, Black Stain |
| Sidewalls | Straight |
| Diameter | 13 7/8″ |
| Dimensions & Details | |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Overall Length | 38″ |
| Weight | Approximately 6 lbs |
| Strings | Deering Light Gauge |
| Tuning | Open G (g, D, G, B, D) |
| Warranty | 8-Year Limited |
| Country of Origin | USA (Spring Valley, California) |
Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Deering dealer located in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Owner Geoff Hohwald has over 50 years in the banjo business and is the author of The Banjo Primer. Every banjo ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping anywhere in the United States.
Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deering Goodtime Blackgrass?
The Deering Goodtime Blackgrass is a 5-string resonator banjo with an all-black matte finish, handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. It features a 3-ply violin grade maple rim, midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan-style pearloid inlays, and matte black powder-coated hardware. It’s the darkest-looking banjo in Deering’s Goodtime lineup.
What’s the difference between the Blackgrass and Blackgrass Special?
The key difference is the tone ring. The Blackgrass Special has the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring, which produces more sustain, projection, and a brighter tone. The standard Blackgrass does not have a tone ring. If you’re playing in jams and need to be heard, the Blackgrass Special ($1,589) will cut through better. If you want the all-black look at a lower price point, the standard Blackgrass ($1,389) delivers.
Is the Blackgrass good for bluegrass?
Yes. The Blackgrass has a resonator that projects sound forward, making it suitable for bluegrass playing. The 3-ply violin grade maple rim delivers clear, bright tone with excellent note separation. For players who need more volume and projection in jam settings, consider the Blackgrass Special with its steel tone ring.
Is the Deering Blackgrass made in the USA?
Yes. All Deering Goodtime banjos, including the Blackgrass, are handcrafted in Spring Valley, California by the largest American banjo manufacturer. Deering has been building banjos in the USA since 1975.
Does the Blackgrass come with spikes?
Yes. The Blackgrass comes with 5th string capo spikes installed at frets 7, 9, and 10 — allowing you to play in the keys of A, B, and C right out of the box.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com.
Follow Banjo Warehouse:
- Facebook – Join our community
- Reverb – Shop our listings
- eBay – Find rare instruments
- YouTube – Watch demos and lessons
Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH or Atlanta, GA locations.
Related products
"Pre-war" style, at a price anyone can afford, AND authentic tone and superb playability describe the OB-150+. This Bluegrass banjo sports a three-ply maple rim and one-piece flange (just like the megabucks originals), a maple neck inlayed in authentic style, an upgraded JLS tone ring, and a smooth satin finish. The OB-150 is professionally set up in our Ohio shop and comes with TRANSFERRABLE lifetime warranty.
Brand new Gold Tone Banjolele-DLX Mastertone concert-scale banjo ukulele featuring a gorgeous flamed maple resonator with vintage brown sunburst finish. This deluxe instrument includes an ebony fingerboard with snowflake inlays, one-piece cast flange, rolled brass tone ring, 8-inch Remo head, and chrome hardware. Designed in the style of the famous banjo ukes played by George Formby. Tuned GCEA. Includes padded gig bag.
The ultimate combination of vintage tone and modern craftsmanship. This OB-250+TP features the legendary JLS #12 long-skirt tone ring - the result of years spent analyzing pre-WWII tone rings to recreate that coveted bronze alloy formula. Paired with the phenomenal Made in America Companion Banjo birch block rim, you get explosive power, clarity, and sustain that rivals banjos costing three times as much. Hearts and flowers inlays, engraved flange, and sunburst resonator complete this stunning professional instrument. Includes hard shell case and expert setup.
The Gold Tone CC-100R is the best beginner banjo at this price. Maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, and a convertible resonator/openback design. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Gig bag included.
Brand new Gold Tone Mastertone OB-2 Bowtie Banjo faithfully recreates legendary 1960s Mastertone bowtie banjos with rare 19-hole brass tone ring, mahogany neck, and golden sunburst finish. Professional bluegrass tone with modern reliability. Includes premium hard case.
In late 2018, Jake Stogdill and Robby Boone had a concept for replicating one of the most iconic banjos, played by one of the most iconic banjo players of all time, JD Crowe's original RB-3 ("Banger"). After extensive research and great attention to every detail, Gold Tone was able to rebirth this classic banjo as the OB-3.
The double-cut headstock, combined with the Hearts-and-Flowers inlay pattern, says it all. The OB-Standard respects the GOAT Bluegrass banjoist, Earl Scruggs, who played this banjo style for many years.